The Egyptian entertainment industry has witnessed renewed discussions over public performance rights for creators in recent hours, following a meeting between actor Ashraf Zaki, head of the Actors Syndicate, and a number of drama producers, attended by Masoud Foda, head of the Cinema Professions Syndicate, and actor Yasser Galal.

The meeting comes at a time when interest in the rights of screenwriters, actors, directors, and other creative professionals is increasing, particularly regarding how financial entitlements resulting from the use and rebroadcasting of artistic works should be regulated. The issue has become a subject of discussion among various parties. 📢

Ashraf Zaki Meets Drama Producers

Dr. Ashraf Zaki invited a number of television drama producers to discuss mechanisms for dealing with public performance rights and to reach a possible framework under which a lump-sum payment would be made directly to the Arab Drama Authors Association and the Sons of Egypt’s Artists Association, in exchange for waiving public performance rights.

The meeting brought together several figures connected to the television and film industries in an attempt to discuss the issue from different perspectives and reach a formula that could take producers’ interests into consideration while also protecting the rights of creators and rights holders.

The importance of these discussions stems from the connection between public performance rights and a large number of artistic works that continue to be broadcast and rebroadcast through different television channels and platforms, making the regulation of these rights an important issue in the future relationship between creators and production companies.

Some Producers Decline to Attend the Meeting

According to information circulating within the entertainment industry, several producers apologized for not attending the meeting for various reasons, as they preferred to hold further consultations before taking any steps involving signatures or commitments to pay specific amounts.

This position reflects the need for additional discussions between producers and creators regarding the details of implementing public performance rights, particularly because the issue does not concern newly produced works alone but also extends to productions made and broadcast in previous years.

Further meetings and discussions are expected in the coming period as the various parties work toward a clearer framework for dealing with the issue and achieving a degree of consensus between all sides. ⭐

Ayman Bahgat Kamar Enters the Debate

At the same time, screenwriter and poet Ayman Bahgat Kamar entered the discussion through a message addressed to producer Hisham Abdel Khalek, head of the Cinema Industry Chamber, concerning the ongoing debate over creators’ rights and public performance rights.

Ayman Bahgat Kamar stressed the importance of the legal provisions governing the rights of creators, pointing out that the Intellectual Property Law contains provisions that, in his view, protect creators’ rights unless a contract explicitly includes a waiver of those rights.

He wrote on his Facebook account: “The Intellectual Property Law contains clear provisions, including: what is not mentioned in the contract remains the creator’s property.”

What Did Ayman Bahgat Kamar Say About Old Contracts? 🔥

Ayman Bahgat Kamar explained that the discussion should not be limited to new contracts, noting that old contracts involving actors, screenwriters, directors, and other creators, according to his view, do not include an explicit waiver of public performance rights.

He argued that this could open the door for rights holders to seek their entitlements from older works, beginning from the point at which the collection of such payments starts.

He also addressed Hisham Abdel Khalek directly, arguing that statements concerning the absence of retroactive collection or the treatment of new contracts in a way that prevents creators from receiving their rights should not prevent discussion of the status of older works.

Ayman Bahgat Kamar concluded by emphasizing that the number of older productions exceeds that of new ones, highlighting the importance of establishing a clear mechanism for dealing with this part of the issue.

Public Performance Rights Between Law and the Entertainment Industry

Public performance rights are among the issues connected to intellectual property protection, and their implementation raises several questions within the entertainment industry, particularly regarding contracts and the nature of rights waived by creators.

The current debate comes amid discussions over the implementation of public performance rights under the provisions of Egypt’s Intellectual Property Protection Law No. 82 of 2002, with differing views among creators and producers regarding how the right should be implemented, how payments should be calculated, and how these matters relate to older contracts.

The issue has become even more significant as the content industry has undergone major changes in recent years, with artistic works moving across multiple platforms and channels while older productions continue to be rebroadcast. This has increased the need for clearer rules governing these rights.

A New Stage of Dialogue Between Producers and Creators ✨

Ashraf Zaki’s meeting with drama producers appears to represent another step toward opening direct dialogue over the issue, particularly because reaching a clear framework requires agreement between professional syndicates, producers, and rights holders.

At the same time, the position of some producers who preferred not to sign before holding additional consultations highlights the importance of agreeing on precise details before moving toward implementation.

Public performance rights are therefore expected to remain an important topic of discussion within the entertainment industry in the coming period, especially as different parties continue searching for a mechanism that balances creators’ rights with the obligations of production companies.

Ultimately, resolving the issue will depend on the ability of the different parties to reach a clear and fair framework that protects the rights of creators while taking into account the nature of the film and television industries and the major changes they have undergone in recent years. 📢

| Facebook | Whatsapp | Linkedin